Folks have been working tirelessly to protect the western flank of the
Crown of the Continent, and this legislation has what we like to see: common
sense, meaningful protections and it still gives folks the ability to manage
the lands they work and play in. The North Fork is renowned for its cutthroat
fishing, floating and wildlife. Monster muleys who live in the dark holes that
make every hunter wake up with the night sweats still run around the Valley.
Booner black bears, bighorn sheep wolves and elk help round out one of the wildest
hunting experiences in Montana. The North Fork has it all and we’re damned
happy to see this bill get the bipartisan support it deserves.

All those critters and all that water mean something bigger than what
you can put in your crosshairs though. It means that the future of the North
Fork and the people who live there can count on a stable economic situation
rather than rely on the boom and bust mentality that comes with foolish
developmentl; and that’s a good thing.

Congressman Daines had this to say about his bill:

“As a fifth-generation Montanan, I know the
importance of our state’s rivers and mountains to Montanans’ outdoors heritage
— because they’re part of my way of life, too,” he said. “The North Fork
watershed is of critical value to our state’s outdoors heritage and the tourism
economy in the Flathead Valley, and it’s important that we work together to
protect this valuable resource.”

We agree wholeheartedly.

Threatened by poorly thought out development in
its headwaters, Conservation groups and our Senators have been working
tirelessly to make sure that this economic engine remains well tuned by
protecting the entire corridor from unnecessary mining and drilling. There are
some places that are worth more than the amount of gas or coal that could be
stripped off of them. The North Fork is definitely one of them. The economic
engine that drives the Flathead is tourism. There is no doubt about that.
Ensuring that one of the most cherished and visited pieces of public ground,
even if it as the end of the road, remains an engine of growth is critical to
ensuring Montana’s continued economic growth.

We are hopeful that Congressman Daines can
continue this effort of endorsing solid, workable proposals when it comes to
land use legislation. Our Stormy Kromer is tipped in your direction,
Congressman.